2023 – It’s a wrap!
2023 is in the past, which is why we are taking a moment to reflect on the past twelve months. We have experienced a lot together – successful, enjoyable moments, but also challenging ones that have tested our stamina.
Our TOPMOTIVE family has grown again: we are delighted to welcome 11 babies, 49 new colleagues, 44 anniversaries, 1 new company and 2 groundbreaking tools.
Our year began with the launch of a project close to our hearts, which went live after two years of development. The AI tool “fahrzeugschein.de”, developed together with the Autosiastik Software GmbH, enables the digitalization of an analogue document. In addition to the digital registration certificate, the platform provides drivers with a range of additional information and many other services relating to their own vehicle.
It continued lively and intense with the activation of “Schrauberjobs.com” Together with the founders of the largest online car mechanics community “Schrauberblog”, we are specifically involved in job placements in the automotive industry and are thus actively working on solving the shortage of skilled workers. Application procedures on “Schrauberjobs.com” are modern and possible without complicated documents including a multiple-choice selection for the qualifications.
Our tool offensive concluded with the “kfz-translator”, a project that we implemented together with the Schleswig-Holstein Association of the Automotive Industry and the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand. In particular, we support the reduction of technical language barriers by providing an online translation tool which is available in 27 languages. Technical terms relating to vehicles are translated into the requested language with technical drawings also available. Hereby, we not only promote the training of young automotive specialists, but also facilitate access to the labor market for non-German-speaking specialists.
We look back at one of the biggest changes in our company history with a smile and a tear in our eye. After almost three decades in management, our founders, Udo Knabe-Paulsen and Rainer Schmeling, have handed over the operational and corporate management of the TOPMOTIVE Group to the next generation. The process that was initiated several years ago has now been completed and although we knew that this change would take place, we are reluctant to let our two founders go into well-deserved retirement. It is therefore even more pleasing that with Anja Pleus and Thies Schmeling in the second generation we remain a family-run company.
Some internal restructuring also took place at the same time. To strengthen our management team, our CIO Stefan Schneider was appointed Managing Director, and a new group of managers was created comprising key positions in various areas. This enables us to give the right direction to the ongoing internationalization, focus on innovation and growth of our companies with the appropriate skills. In addition to our CEOs Anja Pleus and Krunoslav Bagaric, Berislav Opacak (Chief Sales Officer), Corinna Pape (Chief Financial Officer), Kristin Wöllmer-Bergmann (Chief People Officer), Stefan Schneider (Chief Innovation Officer), Sven Friedrichs (Chief Technical Officer) and Thies Schmeling (Chief Operating Officer) are part of our newly established Strategic Circle.
In addition, several strategic business combinations were successfully completed: B-formance GmbH and AWDOC GmbH were merged into DVSE GmbH, while Topmotive Systems GmbH was merged with MSDas GmbH.
We were also able to celebrate a major anniversary this year: our TOPMOTIVE location in Romania is now running for more than 15 years. We are very proud of this milestone and look forward to the coming years with our more than 50 great colleagues in Targu Mures.
A lot has happened in 2023, major changes have ushered in a new era, but some things remain the same for us: We are strongest as a team, as one big family. This team spirit enables us to perform at our best every day. We can only win as a team and thus provide our customers with the best products.
This year will bring many new projects, which we would like to present to you with our team at Automechanika in September 2024. We look forward to seeing you again. It is due to you, that our year was so successful and eventful. Without our customers and partners, we would not be where we are today. We would like to thank you for your trust and appreciation and look forward to many more joint projects.